Showing posts with label Anand Tiwari. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anand Tiwari. Show all posts
I’d just look at Shah Rukh Khan and forget that the camera was there-Divya Dutta
8:42 AM
Divya Dutta, who landed Bandish Bandits 2 while chatting with director Anand Tiwari, on how female actors across ages are getting a host of roles on OTT
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; December 15, 2024)
Landing the second season of Bandish Bandits was a “surreal experience” for Divya Dutta. The actor, who plays a music teacher in the Prime Video series, says director Anand Tiwari offered her the role in the middle of a casual conversation. “Anand and I were just chatting, and this role came up. I’ve been an ardent admirer of season one. When something is resonating with you, you don’t want to ask too many questions. You just flow with it,” she smiles.
In the musical drama led by Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhry, most of Dutta’s scenes are with younger co-stars, including Yashaswini Dayama and Rohan Gurbaxani. Tell her that the actors have praised her nurturing approach, and she replies, “I still remember who was nice to me on the sets [in my early days].” One of them, she reveals, was her Veer Zaara (2004) co-star Shah Rukh Khan, whose kindness had moved her.
“I didn’t know my camera angles while shooting for Veer-Zaara. So, I would stand anywhere. I was so enamoured that I’d just look at Shah Rukh and forget that the camera was there. One day, before a shot, he whispered to me, ‘The camera is on that side.’ When I thanked him, he said, ‘I won’t be present on all the sets. So, look after yourself.’”
It has been a year of variety for Dutta, who was seen in Neeraj Pandey’s Sikandar ka Muqaddar and Tahira Kashyap’s Sharmajee Ki Beti. But diversity has been a prominent feature of the actor’s three-decade career. It’s getting further magnified, thanks to OTT.
She says, “Earlier, there were limited roles as the lead, and if you weren’t the lead, you would be relegated to the mother, bhabhi or the villain. OTT has changed it totally. There is so much to do for 40-plus women. The variety that comes my way now is amazing.”
Bad Newz is Vicky Kaushal’s biggest film, and got him his biggest weekend-Anand Tiwari
9:54 AM
Returning with Bandish Bandits 2, director Anand Tiwari discusses how exploring a love triangle of the mature characters rather than the young leads offered a novel writing opportunity
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; December 13, 2024)
Crafting a world filled with love and music takes time. That probably explains why creator-director Anand Tiwari took four years to return with the second season of Bandish Bandits. Tell him that the gap between the two instalments of the Prime Video series was quite long, and he says it was intentional. “We took exactly the time that we took to make season one. We wanted to do it with as much responsibility as we did in season one. Bandish is a unique [narrative] because the story is of musicians, by musicians and for musicians. It gets consumed by everyone because we relate to the inter-personal dynamics, their dysfunctionality, loss, love and insecurities,” he begins.
Starring Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhry, Bandish Bandits became a hit upon its première in 2020 as it told the story of two rising musicians and their love despite their differing ideologies. While the romance between the two leads formed the crux of the first season, Tiwari says in the second edition, he has focused on the quiet love triangle playing out between Atul Kulkarni, Rajesh Tailang and Sheeba Chaddha’s characters.
“We keenly saw how the audience responded to their love story [in the first edition] because we wanted to take that journey forward. It’s a mature telling of love that is very much alive on three sides. Radhe [Bhowmik] and Tamanna [Chaudhry] are [grappling with] what love means to them, and whether their love is more important than their love for their art. For the mature characters, these conversations are out of the window, and love means very different things to them. So, as writers, it was a great opportunity.”
It has been a significant year for Tiwari, who directed his first big-screen offering, Bad Newz. The Vicky Kaushal and Triptii Dimri-starrer failed to make waves at the box office, but the director is happy with its performance.
“It did very well at the Indian box office. Internationally, it is Vicky’s biggest film, and got him his biggest weekend. So, I am full of gratitude. As producers, we also understood what box office meant because until then we had only worked on OTT. It was a big litmus test. We came in wanting to do cinema. I am a millennial. I didn’t have OTT [growing up]. So, cinema was the language of expression for me,” he smiles.
The romantic comedy has boosted Tiwari’s confidence to tell more stories for the big screen. The director says, “Bad Newz has given us such a nitro boost that we’ll keep making movies. We are developing something for the big screen.”
I find bhasad very entertaining, says Bad Newz director Anand Tiwari
8:23 AM
Making his theatrical debut with Bad Newz, director Tiwari on how his comedy is influenced by David Dhawan’s brand of cinema; credits KJo for scaling up the film
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 20, 2024)
Anand Tiwari admits that in the days leading to a film’s release, he usually becomes a ball of nerves. “I’ve done everything I could, and now it belongs to the audience,” he says of Bad Newz, starring Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri and Ammy Virk. For his first big-screen offering, the director has created a comedy about heteropaternal superfecundation—it revolves around a woman, who becomes pregnant with twins fathered by two different men.
The story’s novelty drew him, he says. “I loved the draft that Ishita [Moitra, writer] wrote. First, my business partner, Amritpal [Singh Bindra], and Sumeet Vyas tried to [expand on] it, then we got Tarun Dudeja [writer].”
In the past, Tiwari directed OTT offerings, including Love Per Square Foot (2018), Bandish Bandits (2020) and Maja Ma (2022). Bad Newz, with its laugh-out-loud moments, has a different tonality from his past creations.
“I find bhasad very entertaining,” he laughs. “We grew up on David Dhawan films. Messed-up relationships give Bad Newz a tonality that goes beyond the central topic. There are many more layers in it. I come from a big family; I have rejoiced in my family’s bhasad. So, I enjoy the nuances of family dynamics. As a Matunga boy, I grew up on comedies that played at Gaiety-Galaxy. It helps me be the storyteller I am. Somehow, we make fewer comedies now.”
Reuniting with long-time friend Kaushal after Love Per Square Foot must have been reassuring. But where does friendship end and work begin?
“On set, Vicky is my actor, and when we call it a wrap, we are friends. I have worked all my life with close friends. I never take the fact that I am Vicky’s friend for granted. He needs space and time, and as his collaborator, I give him that.”
Before we end the chat, we have to talk about the hit song, Tauba Tauba that has Kaushal displaying some smooth moves. “I’m glad it’s a rage. But everything that’s catchy about the film comes from Karan Johar. He has given me the biggest theatrical debut I could’ve imagined. Getting Karan Aujla [singer] was his call; all the actors came because of him. It’s gracious of Ishita and Karan to let us fly with a script that she wrote. The film should be liked foremost, but I also want it to do well at the box office. When someone trusts you this whole-heartedly, you want to do the best you can.”
Vicky Kaushal is patient, supportive, and made sure that I didn’t feel nervous-Triptii Dimri
2:29 PM
After emotionally draining roles in Bulbbul and Qala, Triptii Dimri says shooting for rom-com Rola with Vicky Kaushal was a blast
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; December 16, 2022)
Triptii Dimri had almost forgotten what laughing on screen felt like until she stepped on the set of her next, Rola. Having played two back-to-back emotionally exhausting roles in Bulbbul (2020) and the recent Qala, she admits that the Vicky Kaushal-led romantic comedy was a much-needed change of pace. The actor says, “I only remember laughing on the set. Vicky and I were having a blast, and our director, Anand Tiwari sir, was always cracking jokes.”
Rola marks her return to comedy five years after her debut vehicle, Poster Boys (2017). What makes the Karan Johar production stand out from her previous offerings is that it is mounted on a lavish scale. “I was nervous because, while I have done a commercial film earlier, this was a big set. So, you feel the pressure of a big commercial film.” Fortunately, she found a supportive co-star in Kaushal. “There’s so much to learn from him. He is patient, supportive, and made sure that I didn’t feel nervous.”
Besides Rola, Dimri has the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Animal in her kitty. It’s not lost on her that she has come a long way from the phase when she had no offers in hand. She recounts, “After Laila Majnu [2018], I didn’t get any offers. People advised me on what to do, but nothing felt right. That’s when Bulbbul came my way. [Many] asked me not to do an OTT film after having a theatrical release. But I went ahead, and was proved right.”
With other stars, their entourage can be overwhelming, but Madhuri Dixit's team is like a fly on the wall-Gajraj Rao
8:21 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; October 7, 2022)
Badhaai Ho transformed the course of Gajraj Rao’s career. Ever since, the actor has been impressing us with his immense talent. He now stars alongside Madhuri Dixit in Anand Tiwari’s film Maja Ma, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. In a candid chat, he talks about his journey, the zone of cinema he belongs to, and his motivation to work in Maja Ma — Madhuri Dixit. Excerpts:
What about Maja Ma appealed to you the most?
It’s a family drama and though the colours and spirit have a Gujarati vibe, it isn’t stereotypical or language-centric. The name Madhuri Dixit was enough for me to do this film. The greatest motivation was her presence in the film. Unko itna dekha hua hai, unko itna admire karte hai, so to be able to work with her and be offered an important part alongside her was a big deal for me. I am from Delhi, and since the time I was doing theatre there, I remember flocking to cinemas to watch her movies like Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Prahaar. I feel Madhuri ji’s journey is reminiscent of Rekha ji as both were able to strike a fine balance between stylized commercial cinema and hard-hitting films (like Mrityudand). The way they smoothly switched their persona for different kinds of cinema was admirable.
Did you ever think that one day you would be paired opposite Madhuri Dixit on screen?
I never thought it was possible. When Anand Tiwari first offered the role to me, I thought it must be some part, but when I read the script, I figured it was Madhuri ji’s husband’s role! My friends in the US couldn’t believe it. They called to ask, “Gajju, are you sure that you have been paired alongside Madhuri Dixit as her husband? You are her hero!” I told them it’s not a hero-heroine story. It’s a family story. I don’t belong to the Shah Rukh Khan, Anil Kapoor hero zone. You need a certain talent and traits for those roles, and I don’t have it. I can act a little, and I am glad I got this part. I come from a theatre background, and the universe I belonged to only permitted me to admire someone like her from a distance.
Being such a talented actor, why did you feel that working with someone like Madhuri was a long shot?
Agar aap gully cricket khelte ho with a tennis ball, and someone tells you, ‘Gajraj, now you get to play a proper match with Sachin Tendulkar at the Wankhede Stadium’, this was that feeling. Madhuri ji is to films what Tendulkar is to cricket. They both have excelled in their craft. The experience of working with her and being around her for promotions surpassed my expectations. When she enters a set, she ceases to be Madhuri Dixit. On set, she was Pallavi Patel (her character in Maja Ma). She is aligned with her character on and off the camera.
Are you glad that cinema is finally moving away from the typical hero-heroine subjects to character driven stories like Maja Ma?
Event films, like Baahubali, demand larger-than-life characters because they are made on a certain scale. I like what Tom Cruise, Shah Rukh Khan or Tiger Shroff bring to the table. You need that hero-like charisma for these big-ticket entertainers, and we need such stories, too, because they are aspirational. Aap hero ko filmon se hata nahi sakte because real life mein hero bahut kam hote hai. Like a parallel universe, two kinds of cinema can co-exist. Amitabh Bachchan ruled as a superstar, but at the same time, there was also Amol Palekar who the common man could identify with. Rekha ji did potboilers, but also did Umrao Jaan. There is space for both kinds of cinema.
Has OTT changed the game for actors, and would you say that the medium is more age and gender inclusive?
OTT has democratized things because there is no Friday pressure. Theatres need big faces for big openings. Audience shaayad Gajraj Rao, Ritwik Bhowmik, ya Srishti Shrivastava ke naam pe theatre mein nahi jayegi. Niche audience aayegi, but most may not turn up. So, theatres need actors who are talented and have certain stardom. OTT doesn’t have those restrictions, so you can tell a story freely. You can cast actors strictly on the basis of their acting calibre and not stardom. The script is the new hero on the web because people have the power of a remote. It’s a golden period for actors and technicians. Look at Raveena Tandon, Sushmita Sen and Juhi Chawla…they are doing such good work on OTT. Maybe it was difficult to write relevant parts for them in commercial cinema due to box office demands. Good writers are now in demand because they have that freedom.
The story of Maja Ma revolves around a family. What was the mood like on set?
The bonding and interaction between the family members in the film — Madhuri ji, Ritwik and Srishti (who play out children) and me is incredible. There was warmth, love and laughter on set. No one rushed home once the shoot was over. We played antakshari and dumb charades, and huge credit goes to MD for bringing that energy on set. With other stars, their entourage can be overwhelming, but her team is like a fly on the wall. They’d quietly sit in the corner. Unlike many successful stars, she doesn’t wear her superstar status on her sleeve. Working with her felt like a beautiful dream.
Most homemakers in our country struggle to find themselves-Barkha Singh
8:28 AM
Sharing screen space with Madhuri in Maja Ma, Barkha on how the film’s theme of a woman carving her identity drew her to the project
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; October 6, 2022)
Only months after she played the rich brat in the second season of Masaba Masaba, Barkha Singh slips into the role of a millionaire’s daughter in Maja Ma. But one can be assured that the two roles are as different as chalk and cheese. Anand Tiwari’s directorial venture sees Singh’s character gear up for a big, fat wedding with her boyfriend, essayed by Ritwik Bhowmik. However, the shaadi is called off after a video featuring Pallavi, played by Madhuri Dixit-Nene, goes viral.
“It is a sensitive story told humorously,” says Singh of the Amazon Prime Video movie that also stars Gajraj Rao and Rajit Kapur. In narrating the journey of the devoted homemaker Pallavi, the director throws light on women’s quest for their identity.
“When we go out and work, we have an identity. But most homemakers in our country struggle to find themselves. The film [addresses] that in a non-preachy way. In the end, we let the audience decide whether it is wrong or right.”
If standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Dixit was a matter of pride for Singh, bringing Tiwari’s vision alive was sheer joy. She credits the director for etching each character with care. “He makes the effort to sit with his actors to develop their characters. He allows them their space, while also [nudging them] in the right direction,” she states.
Going forward, the actor, who has played a string of girl-next-door roles, hopes to bag some “dark, gruesome” characters. “I would also like to play a cop some day, mainly because it goes against my image,” she smiles.
It was so difficult to keep a straight face while enacting certain scenes with Gajraj Rao-Madhuri Dixit
8:18 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; October 4, 2022)
Time stands still when it comes to Madhuri Dixit. Even today, she makes you go dhak-dhak each time she appears on the screen, her latest being, Maja Ma. Ahead of the premiere of the film on October 6 on Prime Video, the beautiful actress talks about what piqued her interest in the story, her desire to push the envelope with every project, and how the OTT boom has changed the game for actors. Excerpts…
Maja Ma is your first film in the OTT domain. What about the script appealed to you?
The film is set in a colourful festive season with the quintessential Indian wedding as the backdrop. It’s a story of a perfectly imperfect family, centred around Pallavi Patel, who is a doting mother and a perfect wife. She is someone the community looks up to, but somewhere she begins to lose her identity as can be seen in the trailer. She says, ‘Main ek maa hoon, ek biwi hoon, lekin uske alaawa bhi mera wajood hai’. It’s a beautiful, warm, and funny film, but with a message told in a simple and non-preachy manner.
Tell us about your interaction with the cast. Your co-star Gajraj Rao seems to be in awe of you and has mentioned that he would change his name to Anil Kapoor just to work with you. How does it feel to have so many admirers wherever you go?
The entire cast bonded like a family on the first day itself and the love reflects in the film. Even though there were emotional scenes, we enjoyed each other’s company. There was a lot of appreciation for each other and Gajraj ji especially. He is also a director with a string of commercials to his credit. I remember once after I completed a scene, I was confused about whether I got it right. I wanted to ask Anand (the director), but he was busy on the phone. Gajraj ji saw my face, came up to me, and said, ‘Bohot achha tha’. So, his attention to detail is admirable and his comic timing is terrific. One look at his face and you want to laugh. It was so difficult to keep a straight face while enacting certain scenes with him. I literally had to sing a sad song in my head or else, I would have burst out laughing!
We also have these bright young actors (Ritwik Bhowmik, Barkha Singh and Srishti Shrivastava) who are so good. Of course, Anand (Tiwari, the director), who is also an actor, producer Amritpal Singh Bindra, and the Leo Media Collective team make everything on the set so easy and comfortable. It was a cohesive unit. We shot during COVID, but we made sure to protect each other.
After watching the promo, one realises that apart from complex dynamics in human relationships, the film also touches upon how a couple’s sex life changes after marriage. How important is it to be open about such topics and have a more sensitised approach?
It’s very important to talk about love and relationships with friends, your husband and your family without feeling uncomfortable. It’s important to keep an open dialogue because without that, it is difficult to maintain joy and relationships in family or in life. Communication is important for any relationship to thrive.
You have an enviable body of work. What continues to drive you as an actor and draws you to a script?
By taking up challenging roles and going with my gut. I played a different character in my first web series, which dropped earlier this year. It’s the same with Maja Ma. I have to challenge myself with every role I select. That’s what I am trying to do. When you take on something challenging, it keeps you on your toes and pushes you to walk that extra mile. I also love exploring different art forms other than acting and dancing. I tried singing because I love it. What’s important to me basically is to be serious about my craft, but have fun while I am at it as well.
The garba track, Boom Padi in Maja Ma, has become quite a rage and has everyone grooving to it this festive season. Dance has been a huge part of your career and you are still called the queen of dance in Bollywood. How important is dance in your life?
Dance for me is like breathing. It’s a very spiritual thing. Even now, if I want to work out, I dance, so it’s an extremely important part of my life. It makes me feel happy and connected with the universe. Everybody should try dancing, it changes not only your body but mind, soul... everything! There is a lot of beauty in it and there is a lot of joy you get from it.
You played strong characters even when it was believed there was a dearth of strong characters for actresses compared to their male counterparts. Now, you have forayed into OTT. Do you think that the medium has opened a floodgate of opportunities?
Absolutely. You have a series being carried by actresses at the centre of it. I would say that life imitates art and art imitates life. There are all kinds of people and not just youngsters who make up society and life. There are many age groups that have stories to be told and that’s what is happening on OTT. Brilliant actors, who were struggling to find their place in cinema, are getting to show their talent on the web because there is space for everyday people and relatable characters. That’s the one thing I find really great about OTT is that everyone is getting to showcase their talent, which is amazing.
You had entered the film industry at a time when opportunities were directly proportional to your stardom. The focus, today, is shifting from stars to actors. You’ve been a superstar for decades. How does it feel to be working in an era when the concept of superstardom is fast changing?
Talent has always been important. Talent nahi hoga toh how can you even make it on screen? You had to be talented, but you had to be a star as well. If you think about it, cinema was the only source of entertainment at that time. We didn’t have so many channels and OTT platforms. Today, there are stars everywhere, be it on Instagram, Twitter, OTT, or TV. If you are a star today, you have to manage your social media as well. Back then, stars had to have a certain mysteriousness around them. But today, they want to know all about you. So, things have changed and you have to adapt to changing times.
Farah Khan to choreograph Vicky Kaushal and Tripti Dimri's lavish song in Croatia
8:47 AM
Kaushal and Tripti to head to Dubrovnik next month to film a lavish song for Tiwari’s rom-com; Farah to choreograph the number
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 29, 2022)
Vicky Kaushal and Tripti Dimri kicked off their yet-untitled romantic comedy on Maha Shivratri in the last week of March, completing the schedule by April-end. Now, director Anand Tiwari will lead the cast and crew to Croatia for a two-week schedule that will see the lead actors shoot a song and a few dramatic scenes. The romantic track will be choreographed by Farah Khan, marking her first collaboration with Kaushal.
The team is expected to leave for Croatia in the first week of June. A trade source reveals, “After the spell in Mumbai, the cast shot a portion of the film in Delhi and Mussoorie in April. They celebrated the first schedule wrap by cutting a cake on the sets. Soon, they will be Croatia-bound. The production team has zeroed in on locations in Zagreb, Dubrovnik where some scenes of Game Of Thrones were shot, the Plitvice lakes, Adriatic islands and the famous lavender fields of Hvar. Farah is known for her lavish and colourful songs. The makers too want the Vicky-Tripti track to be a memorable one, especially as the film sees Vicky in a softer, romantic role and is a departure from his usual intense parts.”
Tiwari’s romantic comedy, co-produced by Karan Johar, also stars Ammy Virk and Neha Dhupia in pivotal roles. It also marks Kaushal and Tiwari’s reunion after Love Per Square Foot (2018).
Choreographer Khan is slated to host the IIFA Rocks event, a part of the three-day extravaganza that kicks off on June 3 at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. “Farah will leave for Abu Dhabi on June 1 to host the show with Aparshakti Khurana. Following her hosting duties, she will leave for Croatia on June 4. Vicky is also expected to attend the international awards gala and will head to the shoot thereafter. After the song picturisation is complete, Farah will return to the bay, while the lead pair will continue to shoot some dramatic scenes together,” adds the source.
Khan and Tiwari remained unavailable for comment.
All my scripts have been made into shows or films-Sumeet Vyas
8:07 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 11, 2021)
Sumeet Vyas had four digital releases — Official Bhootiyagiri, Wakaalat From Home, Dark 7 White and Unpaused — last year, but not many know that the actor is also a writer. He has written scripts for Love Per Square Foot (LPSF; 2018) and web shows Tripling and Bang Baaja Baaraat. With no shoots this month, he has taken up more writing projects, including a romantic comedy and some films.
“We were supposed to shoot abroad in January but due to the new wave of corona, it got pushed to next month. As for writing, I am at a nascent stage and I don’t write full-time. I prefer to write a story and then pitch it. Thankfully, all my scripts have been made into shows or films,” he divulges.
Vyas prefers to write without a deadline as that’s when he works best. He shares, “In LPSF’s case, my friend (actor) Anand Tiwari had a story and we wrote the script in 2012, which got made in 2018.”
Despite having found a creative outlet as a writer, Vyas admits he is “essentially an actor”. “Once an actor, always an actor! Writing keeps me away from feeling insecure as an actor. Actors feel left out when not working, and in order to not feel dissatisfied or think about what I don’t have, writing is a good outlet for me. I enjoy it and use my downtime to write scripts,” he says.
Glad the vaccine is out, he says he wants everyone to get it soon. “We took the fact that we could breathe freely for granted and the universe taught us a hard lesson. I want to see people without masks on the road and I hope the vaccine works,” says the actor.
I am still going for auditions, but now, people have seen my work; that’s an added advantage-Shreya Chaudhry
8:32 AM
Nominated for Best Actor (Series) in the mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, Shreya on how Bandish Bandits was a game-changer
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; January 23, 2021)
She first met Anand Tiwari by chance - having bumped into him during the shoot of a commercial, she told him how she deeply admired his works. In a happy coincidence, a month later, Shreya Chaudhry got an audition call for Tiwari’s directorial venture, Bandish Bandits. “During the auditions itself, I knew it would be a big deal if I bagged the part,” recounts the actor, who has now become a familiar face, thanks to the success of the Amazon Prime Video series. Her performance as pop singer Tamanna has earned her a Best Actor (Series) nomination at the upcoming mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards.
“Bandish Bandits has opened doors for me. I am still going for auditions, but now, people have seen my work; that’s an added advantage. People recognise me as Tamanna from the show. I have started getting better offers,” says Chaudhry, who shared screen space with powerhouse performers Naseeruddin Shah, Atul Kulkarni and Sheeba Chaddha in the musical romance that studies the clash and confluence of classical sangeet and modern music.
According to the actor, it was a blessing in disguise that the series dropped online during the pandemic. “Everybody was at home due to the Coronavirus pandemic, so they were all watching OTT offerings. That, in turn, resulted in the creation and consumption of some fantastic shows. In the digital world, there is no room for mediocrity anymore.” Ask her if a second season is on the anvil, and she says, “Nothing has been decided yet, but I hope there is a second [instalment]. Everybody wants to know what will happen to Radhe and Tamanna.”
Cast your vote for the Hitlist OTT Awards
- Shreya Chaudhry has been nominated in the Best Actor (Female): Series category for Bandish Bandits.
The other nominees are:
- Kirti Kulhari: Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors (Disney+Hotstar)
- Masaba Gupta: Masaba Masaba (Netflix)
- Prajakta Koli: Mismatched (Netflix)
- Shreya Dhanwanthary: Scam 1992 (SonyLiv)
- Sushmita Sen: Aarya (Disney+Hotstar)
- Log on to www.hitlistottawards.com to cast your vote.
- You can also vote via SMS. Send HITLIST <space> category name <space> your choice (a/b/c as on the website) to 57575.
- Voting lines close on February 9
Many Bandish Bandits scenes were rewritten after our music sessions with Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy-Anand Tiwari
8:00 AM
With Bandish Bandits nominated for Best Series in mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, creator Tiwari on his purist approach
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 20, 2021)
Bandish Bandits is a refreshing break from what Anand Tiwari calls “bhed-chaal” or herd mentality. His 10-part series, after all, focuses on a subject that is truly indigenous yet often ignored in mainstream entertainment — the conflict and confluence of classical sangeet and modern music. As the show is nominated in the Best Series and Best Romance/Comedy categories of the upcoming mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, the creator-director is proud that it launched two new talents, Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhry.
“The credit goes to Amazon Prime Video officials, who never pressured us to cast known faces. We had a detailed audition process through which Ritwik and Shreya earned their parts. Today, they are two of the most sought-after actors,” says Tiwari.
As he developed the musical romance with long-time collaborator Amritpal Bindra, Tiwari wanted to maintain a purist approach to the subject. Enter Shankar-Ehsaan- Loy, who not only composed the show’s score but also gave insights into the world of Indian music. “We had spoken to music experts when we wrote the bible. But when we went to Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy, they helped us add nuance to the script. Many scenes were rewritten after our music sessions with them. In episode four, Radhe [Bhowmik’s character] is being trained by Pandit ji [Naseeruddin Shah] and by Tamanna [Chaudhary] in dramatically different ways. That scene was changed once Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy decided the beats that Pandit ji and Tamanna would teach him. Music supervisor Akshat Parikh too guided us with details.”
Currently developing the script for its second season, the writer-creator says he will be mindful of the use of expletives. “If our audience includes grandparents as well as grandchildren, we want to be economical in our use of abusive language. In our show’s universe, few characters use cuss words — Radhe’s friend and Arghya [Tamanna’s manager]. But I will try to refrain from that as well.”
Cast your vote for the Hitlist OTT Awards
- Bandish Bandits has been nominated in the Best Series category. The other nominees are:
- Asur (Voot Select)
- Paatal Lok (Amazon Prime Video)
- Panchayat (Amazon Prime Video)
- Scam 1992 (Sony LIV)
- The Forgotten Army (Amazon Prime Video)
- Log on to www.hitlistottawards.com to cast your vote.
- You can also vote via SMS. Send HITLIST <space> category name <space> your choice (a/b/c as on the website) to 57575.
- Voting lines close on February 9.
Did you know?
- Anand Tiwari was Naseeruddin Shah’s student in theatre and even featured in a play by Motley
Everyone is quarantining, getting tested again. We can't resume shoot for two weeks-Arjun Rampal
7:59 AM
Arjun Rampal on how the shoot of Nail Polish has been called off after Manav Kaul, Anand Tiwari are diagnosed with COVID-19
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 25, 2020)
Earlier this week, Arjun Rampal began shooting for Nail Polish, a courtroom drama directed by Bhargava Krishna. However, the shoot at Filmistan Studio ground to an abrupt halt on Wednesday after co-actors Manav Kaul and Anand Tiwari tested positive for Coronavirus. The makers immediately instructed the unit to undergo another round of tests and practise the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine.
Rampal, who is currently staying in isolation, says the unit had adopted stringent safety measures, including undergoing a test before the principal photography began. "The cast and crew would undergo antigen tests daily, and COVID tests every four days. The set was equipped with sanitisation tunnels, and unit hands had been given PPE suits and masks. If at all, actors are more vulnerable as we can't wear masks while shooting," he says. Rampal was filming a sequence with Kaul on Wednesday when the medical reports came in. "Now, everyone is quarantining at home and getting tested again. We can't resume shoot for two weeks."
Though he was excited to return to the set after six months, Rajit Kapur — who also features in the ZEE5 web series — acknowledges that the latest turn of events has left him conflicted. "Even though we're working with a small unit, we are apprehensive because we're surrounded by 30 people on the set. The producers provided a separate vanity van to every artiste; they made sure we maintained physical distancing. But once we go on the floor, we have to perform together," he says.
When mid-day reached out to Kaul, he said, "I have tested positive and am quarantining at home."
We began our journey with 30-second jingles, moved on to 2-hour long films, and now, 8 hour shows - Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
5:44 PM
From making bit-sized jingles, to eight-hour web shows, Bandish Bandits composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy on meeting industry's evolving demands
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 27, 2020)
After repeatedly offering content that is markedly superior than its cinematic counterpart, OTT platforms could perhaps also offer solace to music aficionados who seek melodies that are free from commercial trappings. Following A R Rahman's foot-tapping soundtrack that elevated Dil Bechara, starring Sushant Singh Rajput, next week's release, Bandish Bandits will see the web debut of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
"This is a new experience for us," says Mahadevan of the long-format narrative that explores the stories of two protagonists with distinct music sensibilities. "It's a 10-part series. We began our journey with 30-second jingles, moved on to creating two-hour long films, and now, [we're creating] music for eight-hour shows." The relatively new platform, he says, also comes with its set of fresh challenges. With a movie being in and out of theatres within weeks, they can usually simply focus on the project at hand. "In the case of a series, we need to consider how it will play-out after a couple of months as well, [because web shows are leisurely consumed]."
Anand Tiwari's directorial venture for Amazon Prime Video features Ritwik Bhowmik as a Hindustani classical performer and Shreya Chaudhry as a pop-star, along with a supporting cast comprising Naseeruddin Shah, Atul Kulkarni, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Sheeba Chaddha and Rajesh Tailang. In order to meet its music demands, the makers knew they could only turn to this trio to do justice to the distinct genres. "The three of us can tackle any genre that exists on this planet. The beauty of this show is that there are so many forms of music, including classical, folk, pop, in play. So, it is exciting for us since we have the scope to experiment. Also, we're looking at a global market; we need not only consider Indian [sensibilities]."
If the narrative provided them with the opportunity to exploit their talent, the musicians count themselves fortunate to have the finest cast enhance their creation. "When the character of Pandit [played by Naseeruddin Shah] was narrated, we were certain that we wanted to feature Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty. We've always wanted to work with him. When we learnt that Naseer saab was playing the role, we were delighted. It is owing to his greatness that he adapted to Pandit sa'ab's singing."
Apart from the 12-odd full-fledged tracks, the trio peppered the offering with abundant melodic moments that viewers can indulge in. "You'll see scenes being [influenced by music], like when someone does riyaaz, teaches music, or jams. Apart from pure Indian classical music [like Sajan bin], there are pop, fusion, folk and Rajashthani elements," says Mahadevan, as Loy Mendonsa adds that it was Mahadevan's background in Indian classical music that enabled him to "catch finer aspects of the [genre] and bring that to the table."
In an industry where egos fly high, the trio has stood the test of time to complete over 25 years in Bollywood. Bound by their love for music, Noorani says it is their ability to hold their own that has kept them together. "We are respectful of one other's inputs. I have seen many bands dismembered in as little as seven years due to ego issues. We are here to serve a bigger [endeavour]. Millions love our music, so we owe it to them."
Naseeruddin Shah was a clear choice since we began writing Bandish Bandits-Anand Tiwari
8:45 AM
(From left) Amritpal Singh Bindra, Naseeruddin Shah, Anand Tiwari
Making a musical series for an OTT platform, creators Amritpal Singh Bindra and director Anand Tiwari could think of no one but Naseeruddin Shah for a pivotal role in Bandish Bandits. The Love Per Square Foot director says the veteran actor "adds value to the script".
"Naseer sir was a clear choice [to play the grandfather] since we began writing the script," says Tiwari, adding "We were clear about roping in someone who could showcase his stature and gravitas the moment he walked into the frame without uttering a word." Shah was the obvious choice, chimed in Bindra.
The makers accept that they had apprehensions before approaching Shah for the role. "We know he is picky about his roles, but [I'm glad] it resonated with him at the end of the day," says Tiwari as he firmly believes that every artiste wrestles with the idea of what art means to them until s/he identifies with it. "[Naseer sir plays] a morally upright grandfather [and a Hindustani classical musician]. He showcases varied character shades."
Set in Jodhpur, the Amazon Prime Video 10-part series introduces newcomers Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhary as Radhe and Tamanna respectively. Bandish Bandits will also mark musicians Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Qureshi and Loy Mendonsa's debut in the digital entertainment. "We signed Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy because we wanted a blend of classical, pop, and contemporary music," says Bindra of the musical drama that unfolds on August 4.
Viacom18 Motion Pictures to make web-series on Radia Tapes, Burari killings
8:17 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 6, 2020)
With their films hitting a roadblock due to the lockdown, production house Viacom18 Motion Pictures has sped up work in its digital wing, Tipping Point. The studio has signed on directors Suparn Verma, Kanishka Verma, Anand Tiwari, Vijay Lalwani of Karthik Calling Karthik fame and Milind Dhaimade to create five web series. "Some stories lend themselves better as series," says CEO Ajit Andhare, citing the example of Third Eye, which was pitched as a feature film to the studio, two years ago. "It is an intriguing series around hypnosis and repressed anger, developed by Vijay."
The line-up includes a political thriller inspired by the Radia Tapes controversy. For the unversed, the Indian income tax office had tapped political lobbyist Niira Radia's telephone conversations with politicians, senior journalists and corporate houses between 2008 and 2009. It was alleged that some of the conversations outlined Radia's attempts to broker deals in relation to the 2G spectrum sale. "Suparn Verma is writing and directing The Tapes, an adaptation of Neelima Kota's book, The Honest Season," informs Andhare.
A retelling of the Burari case, where 11 members of the Chundawat family were discovered dead in 2018, is also on the cards. He adds, "Kanishka Verma is developing it as an investigative series with paranormal undertones. Dhaimade of Tu Hai Mera Sunday fame is writing a situational comedy, and Tiwari is working on the adaptation of the book, Boots, Belts and Berets."
Former telecom minister A Raja; Radia
Go Goa Gone sequel to go on floors in February 2019, confirm makers
4:42 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 6, 2018)
Sai Ali Khan, Kunal Kemmu and Vir Das are all set to reunite for the sequel of director-duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK (right, below)’s 2013 zombie comedy, Go Goa Gone. While the trio reprises their characters, the makers are working on some new additions to the cast.
Raj Nidimoru told
Mirror, “Go Goa Gone was an innovative subject. We weren’t thinking of a
sequel back then, even though we had kept it open-ended. Over the
years, people have asked us to come up with a sequel, so we figured it’s
about time. It’s been five years since the first film, so we will play
with the timeline now. DK and I are brainstorming on how to explore the
five-year gap between both films. We are bringing Saif back as Boris,
the zombie slayer, but will be adding an extra element to the character.
We are retaining the entire cast as they were the core of the film, be
it humour, camaraderie or bromance.”He added that producer Dinesh Vijan is figuring out the logistics at the moment. They are hoping to go on the floors by February 2019 and are aiming to wrap up the film in the first quarter with a start-tofinish schedule.
Meanwhile,
Dinesh (left) can’t wait to get back to the “crazy ride” that was the film.
“It’s been quite a journey. Go Goa Gone redefined many things, and we
are aiming to do that again. Saif’s character has stayed with me all
this while and we are thrilled to bring Boris back. We are completing
the final draft and should roll on time,” he revealed.Go Goa Gone released in May 2013 was the story of Hardik (Kunal Kemmu) and Luv (Vir Das), two stoners who live with their friend Bunny (Anand Tiwari). After Hardik loses his job and Luv is dumped by his girlfriend, the duo decides to tag along when Bunny is headed to Goa. During the holiday, Luv falls for Luna (Pooja Gupta) and she invites the trio to a rave party, organised by the Russian mafia, which is being held on a secluded island. The next morning, the three roommates find that the island has been infected by zombies. They save Luna, staying together in hopes of surviving, when they come across the ‘Russian’ Boris, who saves them
Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP launches seven directors; promises great cinematic stuff
8:02 AM
MUMBAI MIRROR (February 7, 2018)
Entrepreneur and media mogul Ronnie Screwvala, in his first avatar at UTV, backed many first-time directors and pushed the established ones out of their comfort zone to build India’s largest movie studio back then.
RSVP, his new avatar at the movies, is following in the same footsteps if the line-up of debutant directors signed up with them is anything to go by. Diverse and creative talent with strong scripts is the formula for movie going audiences today and RSVP seems ready to disrupt this space again.
“We want RSVP to stand for three kinds of storytelling — stories that must be told, stories that we would love to tell and stories that everyone goes to the movies for. Along with some other exceptional talent we are very proud to associate with some promising debutante directors and writers who see the narrative as we do,” says Screwvala.
THE SEVEN FILMMAKERS
Anand Tiwari
With vast experience in the world of films, advertising and theatre, Anand makes his directorial debut with RSVP’s Love Per Square Foot, featuring Vicky Kaushal and Angira Dhar. It premieres this Valentine’s Day across 190 countries on OTT platforms.
Akarsh Khurana
Akarsh has been a part of theatre for over 15 years and has written screenplays for Anurag Basu and Rakesh Roshan. His directorial debut — RSVP’s Karwaan featuring Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan and Mithila Palkar — releases in theaters worldwide on June 1.
Sneha Taurani
After working as an assistant director with Ayan Mukerji, Milan Luthria, Mohit Suri and others, Sneha, daughter of Tips Music founder Ramesh Taurani, is all set to make her debut as a director with RSVP’s Dance Franchise — the first of which will be a Bhangra film written by award-winning Punjabi writer Dheeraj Rattan.
Aditya Dhar
Aditya has served as an assistant to Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rohan Sippy, Priyadarshan and Vishal Bhardwaj. He has also written story, screenplay and dialogues for the National Awardwinning Short film Boond and lyrics for Kabul Express. RSVP’s URI, which revolves around the landmark moment of 2016 in India’s military history featuring Vicky Kaushal, marks his directorial debut.
Vandana Kataria
Vandana won a FilmFare Award as Production Designer for Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, was selected and participated in the Berinale Talent Campus 2016, and is currently working on Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy. RSVP’s Tara Ki Shaadi, a heart-warming but brutally honest tale about Tara and set around her wedding plans will be Vandana’s first feature film as writer and director.
Amit Joshi
After moving to Mumbai from Nanital four years ago, Amit wrote the highly acclaimed film, Trapped, which recently got nominated for Best original story and Best Screenplay at the Filmfare awards. Amit now makes his directorial debut at RSVP with a comic-adventure about two buddies who embark on a crazy ride.
Vasan Bala
Vasan is an award-winning ad filmmaker, who assisted Anurag Kashyap for a decade, was an associate on Michael Winterbottom’s Trishna and co-wrote The Lunchbox. His first film Peddlers (2012) competed for the Camera D’or at Cannes. He now directs RSVP’s Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota.
In addition to the debutants, RSVP also has some of the industry’s top directors, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee, Anurag Kashyap and Karan Johar making four short stories on Love And Lust. Then, there’s Abhishek Chaubey directing Sonchiriya, Meghna Gulzar’s next after Raazi — a biopic on Field Marshall Sam Maneckshaw, Hansal Mehta’s biopic on Ram Jethmalani and veteran Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s kabaddi film for RSVP. Shashank Ghosh (of Khubsoorat and Veere di Wedding fame), Amit Masurkar (Newton), Konkona Sen Sharma (A Death In The Gunj), Anu Menon (Waiting) and Sankalp Reddy (The Ghazi Attack) sum up what promises to be the most exciting slate to come out of a production house in the next couple of years.
I am a very sweet actor; I cannot say the same about me as a director-Anand Tiwari
8:08 AM
Anand Tiwari, now the first Indian director to find Netflix release, talks of shifting personalities around the camera
Kusumita Das (MID-DAY; December 3, 2017)
In a game-changing move for the Hindi film industry, Anand Tiwari has become the first Indian to make his directorial debut on Netflix. The film, a Mumbai rom-com titled Love Per Square Foot, will release on the global streaming platform early next year. For acclaimed actor Tiwari, who wore the director’s hat for several short films and the hit web series Bang Baajaa Baaraat, this film marks his entry into feature films as director.
The 34-year-old, who grew up in Matunga West, has incorporated 34 locations in Mumbai in a filming period of 50 days. “I am a Mumbai boy and for this film, we have shot in locations that have not been explored in films before. Like for instance, the railway colonies of Lower Parel and Dahisar. We have shot throughout the city. Our first day was at the Gateway of India while we wrapped up in Naigaon,” he says.
The story revolves around a couple that enters into a marriage of convenience in order to buy a house in Mumbai. “Their love becomes transactional. I believe that in the urban space, we deal with interesting and complex relationships that we like to call ‘love’. Therefore, the irony of the title, ‘Love Per Square Foot’. The story draws from many personal experiences, as well as the lives of those around me. Growing up, our ideas of romance was courtesy everything between classic novels to right up to Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge or Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Love, nowadays, is anything but unconditional; there’s a lot of questioning that goes on and the conflicts are far more internal than external,” Tiwari says.
Even as the film tackles these thought-provoking subjects, he insists that it is a funny telling throughout. While Vicky Kaushal and Angira Dhar play the central couple, they are supported by a stellar cast comprising Raghubir Yadav, Ratna Pathak Shah and Supriya Pathak. Explaining how he is as a director, Tiwari says, “I am a very sweet actor; I cannot say the same about me as a director. I’m a complete Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. But, then, I am a Gemini — I am allowed to be two people.”
However, calling the shots while working with veterans may have felt strange at times. “Sometimes I would walk back to the monitor thinking, ‘Did I just ask Raghubir Yadav to redo a scene?’”
With Shah, the roles had reversed. “We have done theatre together, where I was the student and she, the teacher. For this film, the role reversal was as smooth as it gets. It’s a revelation how receptive veterans get with age. They are just like students. Vicky, Angira and I would just watch them in awe,” he adds.
Being an actor primarily, Tiwari feels he can understand his actors better when compared to pure directors, or people who come into direction from other professions. “I know what an actor is going through; if there’s a problem, I get to the reason faster. And most often, it has got nothing to do with filming. It could be a vanity van parked too far, or a fight at home.”
For Tiwari, heart scores over skill. “In cinema, the camera is so close to you, that if you’re not in the moment, it shows. No amount of skill can cover that. I never let my actors give me skill. I insist on heart. And, as an actor myself, I know when one’s heart is not in it.”
The lifestyle and milieu changed every 10 km in Mumbai-Vicky Kaushal on shooting for Love Per Square Foot
7:52 AM
The filmmaker’s first production in three years is a romcom featuring Vicky Kaushal and Angira Dhar
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 11, 2017)
Ronnie Screwvala, who in January 2014 exited the media and
entertainment company UTV which he had founded in 1990, is back at the
movies with a new production. Titled Love Per Square Foot, the film is
directed by Anand Tiwari, who co-wrote the script with Permanent
Roommates breakout star Sumeet Vyas. The romcom features Vicky Kaushal
and Angira Dhar as the leads. It wrapped up towards the end of January
after a 50-day schedule and Ronnie hopes to release the film later this
year.After Neeraj Ghaywan’s critically acclaimed directorial debut, Masaan, and Anurag Kashyap’s dark drama about a psycho killer, Raman Raghav 2.0, for the first time, Vicky is playing a fun character in an entertaining film. “It’s a romantic story peppered with comedy about a boy and girl trying to find a house in Mumbai. I hadn’t been a part of a happy film before this so I had a ball shooting for this one. My character, Sanjay, is ambitious and street-smart,” says the 28-year-old actor as he reminisces about his own family graduating from a 10x10 room in Malad to a one BHK, followed by a two BHK and, finally, their present sprawling apartment in Andheri.
The film was shot across Mumbai, from SoBo till beyond the suburbs of Mira Road. It is almost entirely shot on real locations. “What I found most intriguing is that the lifestyle and milieu changed every 10 km. I remember shooting in the North of the city where there were many fishermen and nobody gave a damn about us. But shooting in Parel was a task as many people turned up to see us. Anand is a Matunga boy himself and knows the city like the back of his hand,” the actor informs.
Now that his repertoire boasts of a fun film to offset the bleakness of his previous hits, can he say he likes playing one kind of character over the other? “To be honest, after every film that I do, I want the mental space to go on. After Masaan I was enjoying the intense space and after Raman Raghav 2.0, I felt aggression had its own charm,” Vicky says.
Mirror (February 27) had earlier reported that Bombay Talkies directors, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar and Dibakar Banerjee, would reunite for another as-yet-untitled project, similar in format but not a sequel to the 2013 anthology film. It will be produced by Ronnie and Ashi Dua. However, so far only Zoya is ready with her short film.
Hrishitaa Bhatt ties the knot with UN diplomat Anand Tiwari
7:49 AM
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 7, 2017)
On March 4, actress Hrishitaa Bhatt, who debuted opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the 2001 period drama Asoka, tied the knot in a quiet day-long ceremony in Delhi.
The 35-year-old-actress met husband Anand Tiwari, senior diplomat with the United Nations, and the couple struck a chord instantly, as did their families. Six months later, the couple got married.
The special menu included welcome drinks customised for every guest and the venue featured unique floral art by celebrity-designer Srishti Kapoor. For the guests, there was jewellery and tiaras made from floral work as well.
The actress, who looked stunning in two outfits by Preeti Singhal and Premal Badiani each, has a home in Mumbai, but will now move to Delhi postmarriage. She hopes to keep juggling her time between the two cities whenever work calls.
The actress is remembered for Tigmanshu Dhulia’s 2003 directorial, Haasil and Shimit Amin’s Ab Tak Chhappan. Her last release, 30 Minutes, was launched by Akshay Kumar in November 2016. She has not signed a single Bollywood film since.
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